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were so violent； as nearly to annihilate his mental powers。 He
sat like one stupefied near the Table on which his Lamp was
burning dimly。 Despair chained up his faculties in Idiotism； and
He remained for some hours； unable to speak or move； or indeed to
think。
'Look up； Ambrosio！' said a Voice in accents well…known to him
The Monk started； and raised his melancholy eyes。 Matilda stood
before him。 She had quitted her religious habit。 She now wore a
female dress； at once elegant and splendid： A profusion of
diamonds blazed upon her robes； and her hair was confined by a
coronet of Roses。 In her right hand She held a small Book： A
lively expression of pleasure beamed upon her countenance； But
still it was mingled with a wild imperious majesty which
inspired the Monk with awe； and represt in some measure his
transports at seeing her。
'You here； Matilda？' He at length exclaimed； 'How have you gained
entrance？ Where are your Chains？ What means this magnificence；
and the joy which sparkles in your eyes？ Have our Judges
relented？ Is there a chance of my escaping？ Answer me for pity；
and tell me； what I have to hope； or fear。'
'Ambrosio！' She replied with an air of commanding dignity； 'I
have baffled the Inquisition's fury。 I am free： A few moments
will place kingdoms between these dungeons and me。 Yet I
purchase my liberty at a dear； at a dreadful price！ Dare you pay
the same； Ambrosio？ Dare you spring without fear over the
bounds which separate Men from Angels？You are silent。You
look upon me with eyes of suspicion and alarmI read your
thoughts and confess their justice。 Yes； Ambrosio ； I have
sacrificed all for life and liberty。 I am no longer a candidate
for heaven！ I have renounced God's service； and am enlisted
beneath the banners of his Foes。 The deed is past recall： Yet
were it in my power to go back； I would not。 Oh！ my Friend； to
expire in such torments！ To die amidst curses and execrations！
To bear the insults of an exasperated Mob！ To be exposed to all
the mortifications of shame and infamy！ Who can reflect without
horror on such a doom？ Let me then exult in my exchange。 I have
sold distant and uncertain happiness for present and secure： I
have preserved a life which otherwise I had lost in torture； and
I have obtained the power of procuring every bliss which can
make that life delicious！ The Infernal Spirits obey me as their
Sovereign： By their aid shall my days be past in every
refinement of luxury and voluptuousness。 I will enjoy
unrestrained the gratification of my senses： Every passion shall
be indulged； even to satiety； Then will I bid my Servants invent
new pleasures； to revive and stimulate my glutted appetites！ I
go impatient to exercise my newly…gained dominion。 I pant to be
at liberty。 Nothing should hold me one moment longer in this
abhorred abode； but the hope of persuading you to follow my
example。 Ambrosio； I still love you： Our mutual guilt and
danger have rendered you dearer to me than ever； and I would fain
save you from impending destruction。 Summon then your resolution
to your aid； and renounce for immediate and certain benefits the
hopes of a salvation； difficult to obtain； and perhaps altogether
erroneous。 Shake off the prejudice of vulgar souls； Abandon a
God who has abandoned you； and raise yourself to the level of
superior Beings！'
She paused for the Monk's reply： He shuddered； while He gave it。
'Matilda！' He said after a long silence in a low and unsteady
voice； 'What price gave you for liberty？'
She answered him firm and dauntless。
'Ambrosio； it was my Soul！'
'Wretched Woman； what have you done？ Pass but a few years； and
how dreadful will be your sufferings！'
'Weak Man； pass but this night； and how dreadful will be your
own！ Do you remember what you have already endured？ Tomorrow
you must bear torments doubly exquisite。 Do you remember the
horrors of a fiery punishment？ In two days you must be led a
Victim to the Stake！ What then will become of you？ Still dare
you hope for pardon？ Still are you beguiled with visions of
salvation？ Think upon your crimes！ Think upon your lust； your
perjury； inhumanity； and hypocrisy！ Think upon the innocent
blood which cries to the Throne of God for vengeance； and then
hope for mercy！ Then dream of heaven； and sigh for worlds of
light； and realms of peace and pleasure！ Absurd！ Open your
eyes； Ambrosio； and be prudent。 Hell is your lot； You are doomed
to eternal perdition； Nought lies beyond your grave but a gulph
of devouring flames。 And will you then speed towards that Hell？
Will you clasp that perdition in your arms； ere 'tis needful？
Will you plunge into those flames while you still have the power
to shun them？ 'Tis a Madman's action。 No； no； Ambrosio： Let us
for awhile fly from divine vengeance。 Be advised by me； Purchase
by one moment's courage the bliss of years； Enjoy the present；
and forget that a future lags behind。'
'Matilda； your counsels are dangerous： I dare not； I will not
follow them。 I must not give up my claim to salvation。
Monstrous are my crimes； But God is merciful； and I will not
despair of pardon。'
'Is such your resolution？ I have no more to say。 I speed to joy
and liberty； and abandon you to death and eternal torments。'
'Yet stay one moment； Matilda！ You command the infernal Daemons：
You can force open these prison doors； You can release me from
these chains which weigh me down。 Save me； I conjure you； and
bear me from these fearful abodes！'
'You ask the only boon beyond my power to bestow。 I am forbidden
to assist a Churchman and a Partizan of God： Renounce those
titles； and command me。'
'I will not sell my soul to perdition。'
'Persist in your obstinacy； till you find yourself at the Stake：
Then will you repent your error； and sigh for escape when the
moment is gone by。 I quit you。 Yet ere the hour of death
arrives should wisdom enlighten you； listen to the means of
repairing your present fault。 I leave with you this Book。 Read
the four first lines of the seventh page backwards： The Spirit
whom you have already once beheld will immediately appear to
you。 If you are wise； we shall meet again： If not； farewell for
ever！'
She let the Book fall upon the ground。 A cloud of blue fire
wrapped itself round her： She waved her hand to Ambrosio； and
disappeared。 The momentary glare which the flames poured through
the dungeon； on dissipating suddenly； seemed to have increased
its natural gloom。 The solitary Lamp scarcely gave light
sufficient to guide the Monk to a Chair。 He threw himself into
his seat； folded his arms； and leaning his head upon the table；
sank into reflections perplexing and unconnected。
He was still in this attitude when the opening of the prison door
rouzed him from his stupor。 He was summoned to appear before the
Grand Inquisitor。 He rose； and followed his Gaoler with painful
steps。 He was led into the same Hall； placed before the same
Examiners； and was again interrogated whether Hewould confess。
He replied as before； that having no crimes； He could acknowledge
none： But when the Executioners prep